Holy Roman Empire

No matter how great the interests of the Americas are, they are still not as great as Europe. John Bull's national policy has always given priority to ensuring the balance of the European continent.With the outbreak of the Russo-Prussian War, the British government had to devote more energy to the European continent.

Foreign Minister Raistling analyzed: "The situation on the European continent is already very dangerous. Once the Russians concentrate their efforts, the Prussians are likely to be unable to withstand it. We must be prepared to intervene in this war.

Now that Prussia and Russia are still in a stalemate, it does not mean that the Prussians have the strength to counter the Russians. There are three main factors that caused the stalemate on the battlefield:

First, the Tsarist government did not pay much attention to the opponent of the Kingdom of Prussia. Until now, the Russians have not done their best;

Second, the Russians had financial problems and were unable to afford huge military expenditures. The Tsarist government wanted to win the war with as little military expenditure as possible;

Third, the Prussians who had the upper hand did not dare to fight the Russians rashly, they could not afford to lose this war.The Berlin government was going to take advantage of the Russians' weakness of insufficient funds to force the tsarist government to compromise.

If any of these three points change, the European continent may undergo major changes, and we must maintain sufficient vigilance.

If the Prussians win the war, it is okay, but if the Russians win the war, it is very likely that Russia, France and Austria will divide the Prussian Kingdom into three parts.

In the past ten years, the strength of France and Austria has developed very fast. The army and navy of the two countries respectively occupy the second and third places in the world. They are our biggest enemies after the Russians.

If they continue to expand, sooner or later they will threaten us.Fortunately, the three countries of Russia, France and Austria are crowded in the European continent, which creates opportunities for us.

At present, the European continent is still three-legged as a whole. Russia, the overlord of the European continent, can only suppress one family, but has no way to suppress both of them at the same time.

In order to maintain his supremacy, Nicholas I chose to form an alliance with the Austrians, reducing one enemy.

However, as the balance of power between the two countries changes, the importance of the Russia-Austria alliance to Austria is gradually declining. This change in the European continent is an opportunity to split the Russia-Austria alliance.

The American Civil War took a back seat by comparison.Although the United States has a unique geographical location, they are just a new immigrant country. The centripetal force of the people is not strong enough, and it will take a long time to catch up.

Moreover, because of the civil war, we have created an opportunity to divide the United States.

It was originally planned that we would split the United States into five countries, but now because of changes in Europe, the power that each country can invest is limited, and it is no longer possible to do so.

However, according to the current situation, as long as we push, the split between the North and the South will become a foregone conclusion, and the Indians can also be independent.

After the division of the United States, it will take longer to develop.We can also support the southern government to balance the northern government and maintain the balance of the American continent. "

Minister of Finance Agarwal questioned: "The plan is very good, but is it really feasible? What should we do if there is an early change on the Prussian-Russian battlefield?"

Foreign Secretary Raistling replied calmly: "No one can guarantee that these plans will be successful, what we can do now is - hurry up.

Before the end of the Russo-Prussian War, the North and the South were forced to sit at the negotiating table.On this point the Austrians are in the same position as we are.

The Vienna government is very active in intervening in the American Civil War, the flag of Austria has appeared in Central America, and there is a Habsburg emperor in Mexico.

For whatever reason, the master of the Habsburg revival needed a divided America.

Now the Vienna government is eager to end the American Civil War, and it is actually trying to regain energy.The Russo-Prussian War had a much greater impact on Austria than on us.

Now Spain is subject to civil strife and has lost most of its right to speak in the four-nation interference alliance.As long as we agree with Austria, we can influence the decision of the alliance. "

In fact, the four-nation interference alliance has now become a three-nation interference alliance.There are problems in Spain, and how determined the government is to interfere with the United States has become unknown.

Even if they want to intervene in the American Civil War, no one knows whether they can fulfill the promised number of troops.

However, the four-nation interference alliance is always more influential than the three-nation interference alliance.Spain's strength is already at the bottom of the great powers, but their political influence is still there.

Especially in the Americas, there are a large number of Hispanics.The position of the Spanish government can also affect the choices of many people.

It is naturally impossible for John Bull to kick the Spaniards out of the Intervention Alliance. Of course, Spain will inevitably be weakened in terms of the right to speak.

After being silent for a while, John Russell said slowly: "End the American Civil War as soon as possible, otherwise accidents may happen. Americans support the Irish Independence Organization. This time, by the way, we will also settle with them."

Don't think that John Bull only has interests in his eyes, they also hold grudges.

President Lincoln's final counterattack, of course, dispersed the energies of all countries, bought time for the federal government, and avoided being divided into five, but it also aroused enough hatred.

evidence?Sorry, when did the great powers need evidence to do things?Just thinking it is is enough.

Franz did not send people to find evidence of Americans supporting the Hungarian independence organization, and the British would not do such useless efforts.

Only the weak will look for evidence and take evidence to protest.As the kings of this era, Britain, France and Austria did not protest to the Americans, and directly began to prepare for revenge.

This is the basic game of power politics in the 19th century. Only when there is no other way, people will choose to protest, and more often, they will directly retaliate.

After all, there are too many conflicts among countries in this era.You stabbed me in the back the day before yesterday, and yesterday I stabbed back secretly. You have come and gone many times, and you can't figure out what is right and what is wrong.

Of course, it is better if there is evidence, and pressure can be exerted on public opinion. The final game still depends on strength and means.

……

After a round of urgent consultations, on March 1865, 3, the four countries of Britain, France, Occidental and West finally reached an agreement, and the four countries sent diplomatic notes to the North and the South on the grounds of maintaining peace in the Americas.

The British, the most powerful in the Americas, did their part to become the leader.British ambassador to the United States, Mark Oliver, represented the Intervention Alliance and negotiated with the North and the South.

On March 3, the four countries of Britain, France, Occidental and West held joint military exercises simultaneously in the East and West Pacific regions.

The four countries assembled more than [-] warships to conduct exercises in the coastal areas of the United States. Some residents in the coastal areas heard the sound of roaring artillery fire.

The North and the South, which are negotiating in secret, have also reached a deadlock and have been unable to reach an agreement because of the distribution of interests.

At this time, the four countries intervened, and President Lincoln's first reaction was that the negotiations were exposed, which caused dissatisfaction among all countries.

In order to interfere in the Civil War, everyone invested a lot of manpower and material resources back and forth. If they were allowed to reach a compromise in private, how would the interests of all countries be guaranteed?

Secretary of State Safar analyzed: "Your Excellency, including you and me, no more than ten people know about the secret negotiations. These people are all in high positions, and there is no reason to leak the news.

The sudden intervention of Britain, France and Osi is mostly because of the situation in Europe.They don't want to wait any longer, which is a good thing for us. "

The plan worked, but Lincoln wasn't very pleased.Negotiations are now at an impasse, with neither the North nor the South willing to let go of the scramble over Maryland.

Maryland is also one of the slave states, and it has now been occupied by the Confederate government. The slave owners in this state have shed blood for the southern government, and more than 6 people have joined the southern army.

If we abandon this place now, it will undoubtedly damage the reputation of the southern government and weaken the centripetal force of the joined states.

The southern government cannot give up, and the northern government cannot give up either.Washington is next to Maryland, without Maryland as a barrier, Washington is exposed to the enemy at any time.

No, it is now under the nose of the enemy, and the neighboring state of Virginia joined the southern government early.

At the beginning of the Civil War, parts of Virginia near Washington remained loyal to the Union, which saved Washington from the embarrassment of going to the front line.

But this is of no use. The war has progressed and most of the urban areas of Washington have fallen. The federal government has only defended a few strongholds, indicating that the defense of Washington is still going on.

Secret negotiations began, and the North and the South stopped large-scale fighting in a very tacit agreement.Otherwise, Washington may have fallen by now.

Anyway, Lincoln still didn't want to give up Maryland.Even if he is unpopular in Maryland, he may not get many votes.

"This is indeed good news, but it is also accompanied by big troubles. With the intervention of the alliance, we have no way to force the southern government to make concessions.

If the interests are appropriate, I think the southern government will not mind inviting the four countries of Britain, France, Occidental and West to join the negotiations, and we will be passive at that time. "

Lincoln had no illusions about securing the support of the four nations, it was impossible to do so.

A strong United States is not in the interests of all countries. In addition to supporting revolutionary organizations in various countries not long ago, the two sides have stood on opposite sides.

If you know, you know, this does not mean that he wants to make concessions to the southern government.As a politician, one must consider political influence, not just superficial interests.

Perhaps on the surface it seems that giving up Maryland to end the civil war early would be less costly than the intervention of various countries, but politically, can the states of the federal government accept it?

You must know that Maryland supports the federal government. Although this support is the result of President Lincoln's extraordinary means, it does not affect Maryland as one of the many federal states.

Now that this place is abandoned, the centripetal force of the states to the federal government will decline, and the authority of the federal government will inevitably be weakened.

In contrast, giving up Maryland and even more benefits under the intervention of the great powers, the people's acceptance is even higher.

At that time, we can clean it up. This is not because the government is not working hard. The main reason is that the enemy is too powerful, and there is really no way but to compromise.

Especially for individual politicians, if they choose the former, they might step down as southern spies, but if they choose the latter, they can at least gain some sympathy points.

Even if the political life is over, is it better than everyone shouting and beating?

Secretary of State Safar said indifferently: "It has come to this point anyway, and the situation is no longer under our control. If we can keep the core interests of the federal government, we will be worthy of the votes of the people."

Indeed, on the whole they are not doing badly, or even excellently.Being able to integrate so many federal states and fight with the South for so many years is enough to prove their ability.

No matter how powerful they are, they cannot conceal the fact that they are losers.Secretary of State Safar has already looked away, anyway, their term of office is about to expire.

In the new general election, Safar is not prepared to participate at all, so as not to humiliate himself when the time comes.Whichever unlucky person is elected in the future, let the latecomers clean up the mess.

No, the next government would have been elected if the civil war hadn't delayed the election.

Everyone is not a fool, and no one will jump out and act as a scapegoat before the signing of the armistice treaty.

Therefore, the Republican Party and the Democratic Party agree that during the war, people in many federal states were unable to vote, and now elections cannot represent the will of all people.

The election was naturally postponed until after the war, and the Lincoln government was extended.

Otherwise, Safar and the others would be relieved immediately. They have less than a month before the end of their term of office, and they will pass it by just procrastinating.

The Lincoln government must bear the responsibility for the division of the United States before it can pack up and leave. This is the common will of all parties.

Of course, Lincoln could also participate in the next presidential election.It's just that as a loser, his popular support rate is very low, and he has almost no chance of winning.

Chapter 64 Impact

Without any exception, representatives of the four countries of Britain, France, Occidental and West appeared on the negotiating table.Unable to get what they wanted in the secret negotiations, the southern government did not hesitate to invite the great powers to intervene.

It is the common wish of the four countries to balance the strength of the North and the South. The northern government's comprehensive national strength is stronger than that of the South, so it is naturally the target of everyone's suppression.

Even Indian representatives have appeared on the negotiating table. Don't talk about racial conflicts and white supremacy. These things must be relied on in the face of interests.

Of course, the Indians who are the weakest are just sitting in as observers and waiting for the result. They still have no right to speak at the negotiating table.

As a tribal alliance, the strength of the Indians is too weak, it is only equivalent to a federal state, and it cannot be compared with the North and the South at all.

From the beginning of the meeting, the North and the South have been arguing endlessly over legal issues.The secret contact in private was hidden by both parties.

Contacting the enemy in private without the approval of the parliament, these things are shady, once exposed, it will be a political crisis.

At the same time as the opening, the results of the Russian-American joint fleet's extermination of pirates in the US Channel Islands were also reported.It is not known how many pirates were killed, anyway, the combined Russian and American fleet was almost wiped out.

"The navy can't beat pirates" is not news, and occasionally when orders are placed, it is understandable that the navy can't beat pirates.In the era of sailing warships, the gap in strength between pirates and navies was not insurmountable.

But this time the Russian fleet and the US West Coast fleet combined had 23 large and small warships. When they went to encircle and suppress the pirates, two small ships came out. It can be said that the entire army was wiped out. This is big news.

If it is the Kingdom of Ryukyu and the Kingdom of Hawaii, everyone can understand that the navy of such a small country was destroyed by pirates.

Even if the US West Coast Fleet is suppressed and beaten by pirates, everyone can accept it.After all, they are upstarts, and it is normal for the navy to be weak.

But the protagonist is the Russian Navy, and it happened to be at the juncture of the Prussian-Russian War, so the problem was magnified.

This kind of thing happened, of course, the federal government cannot just sit idly by.

In any case, the Russians also ended up helping them destroy the pirates. President Lincoln immediately ordered a fleet to be dispatched from the east coast to the Channel Islands to destroy the pirates.

Anyway, it is now on the negotiating table, and the great powers have already intervened. Whoever wants to continue to wage war is the enemy of Britain, France and Osi.Since the battle cannot be fought, it is not a big problem to divide the troops on the west coast.

At the same time as the military deployment, the federal government immediately notified the tsarist government by telegram.Of course, European countries were also notified by the way.The telegraph line was going to be transferred from various European countries, so the news was naturally leaked.

At present, there is only such a telegraph line between Europe and the United States, and there is no direct telegraph line from the United States to Russia. It must be transferred in various European countries, and it is impossible to avoid it.

During the outbreak of the American Civil War, the news blocked by the federal government could only be delivered by ship.

The news of the defeat in the naval battle, even if the Americans wanted to keep it secret, they couldn't hide it for a few days.

What's more, the situation is different now, the importance of the Russians to the federal government has declined, and President Lincoln naturally doesn't care about the troubles caused by the leak of news to the Russians.

Turning faces and denying people is a common tactic used by American politicians.If you want to win the friendship of Americans, just use your interests to speak, everything else is nonsense.

Historically, the tsarist government supported the federal government to complete national reunification. After the Americans recovered from the civil war, they immediately became the vanguard of anti-Russia.

The supporters behind the Russo-Japanese War were not only the British, but also the Americans.

There is no way, the term of office of the President of the United States is only 4 years, and he cannot be re-elected for more than 2 terms.No matter how good the relationship is, all the investment in the next government will be in vain.

Almost all republics have done very poorly in terms of policy continuity.Many times it is negation for the sake of negation.

As the opposition overthrew political opponents in the election, it is politically correct to overthrow the policies of the previous term.

Even if you know your predecessor is right, you have to do it, otherwise how can you explain to the voters?Or to explain to the supporters behind the scenes.

……

In the Palace of Vienna, after receiving the news that the Russian navy was almost completely annihilated, Franz just laughed it off.

Knowing that the relationship with the British is so bad, but going to the Americas to cause trouble for others, isn't this asking for death?

"Pirate" ambush?

Who doesn't know that the ancestors of the British Navy were pirates?Except they are legal pirates.Don't look at the fact that in the past ten years or so, the British navy has gone ashore in vain, but it is still indispensable to visit the old business once in a while.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, there were rumors of the British navy visiting pirates, although the British did not admit it.

After a second of silence for the Russians, Franz began to gloat.

He has heard many jokes about the Russian Navy, but his personal experience is different.

These are all small problems. Anyway, the tsarist government has always relied on the army for food. When did the navy become stronger?